day 07
POUR OUT MY HEART
MATTHEW 26:6-13 (NASB)
“Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”
daily devotional
It is a beautiful thing to offer to Jesus something of deep sacrifice. It demonstrates to Him a heart that declares His worthiness over anything else in this world, when we choose to offer to Him something of great value to us.
This story in scripture points out something even greater than perfume being offered to Jesus.
Many would think something of such value should never be wasted in such a manner. After all, the cost of this essence would be equivalent to saving every penny for an entire year.
Why would this woman do such a thing?
Could it be that Jesus had such a grip on her heart that she couldn’t help herself?
Could it be that her love for Jesus stirred up such passion in her — to show Him, in some way, just how much she cherished Him?
Is this why she would take something that appeared so valuable to the world, and lavished it upon Jesus; which to many, would appear so wasteful?
It’s an amazing thing when Jesus has such a grip on our heart, that our love for Him drives us to a willingness to sacrifice whatever we have — just to pour out our love upon Him.
Even more than sacrificing things of this world, Jesus desires the sacrifice of our hearts in the area of obedience. More than material things, we pour out our love upon Jesus through our obedience to His desires and commands.
What is it today that Jesus is asking of you?
Is there anything that Jesus has asked of you, even possibly years ago, where you haven’t been fully obedient to Him?
What is the perfume of your heart that you would be willing to pour out upon Jesus today?
May we be willing to humbly wait, listen, and obey whatever it is God may be asking of us.
May the worship of our obedience, in every way, be a monument to His greatness.
“Greatness in the kingdom of God is measured in terms of humble obedience.”
- John Stott